Lil Nas X says he ‘lost control’ of part of his face but is now doing ‘much better.’ Bell’s palsy signs & symptoms you should know — and how it differs from a stroke

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

Lil Nas X is sharing how one side of his face became paralyzed, but urged fans to “stop being sad” after what appeared to be a hospital trip. The 26-year-old rapper shared a video earlier this week where he seemingly can’t control the right side of his face, and has since been posting updates on social media about his recovery.

The “Old Town Road” artist, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, posted a video Monday evening where he’s lying in bed wearing a hospital gown. In the post’s caption, he said he “lost control of the right side of my face” and further explained in the clip how he couldn’t properly smile or laugh.

“This is me doing a full smile right now, by the way. I can’t even laugh right. Oh my God, bro,” the “Industry Baby” singer said in the video while in good spirits.

The Atlanta-born star later took to his Instagram Stories to quell people’s worries about him and his health. In one of his first posts after the video, he wrote he’s “OK” in a blank post with text: “Stop being sad for me! Shake your a— for me instead!”

The rapper, who released single “Hotbox” last month and is gearing up to release upcoming album “Dreamboy” this year, then shared various selfies of himself and his progress to recovery. One photo he wrote on-screen text saying he’s going to “look funny for a lil’ bit but that’s it.”

On Tuesday, he shared a photo of the sky and palm tree with on-screen text saying people probably think they’re being winked at when they see him, adding that he’s “so cooked.” He then shared a follow-up video on Wednesday of himself talking to the camera in a mirror, showing how his face muscles have already made some progress.

“I’ve been chewing a lot so I can get this muscle stronger. It’s much better, it’s much better,” he said to the camera. “My eyes, though, still have to play catch-up. But I can give a genuine smile, so that’s good.”

While the rapper hasn’t shared what he was told by medical professionals, people on social media shared he might’ve experienced Bell’s palsy. Below, read everything you need to know about the condition, the symptoms and how it’s treated.

What is Bell’s palsy?

According to MyHealth Alberta, Bell’s palsy “is a paralysis or weakness on one side of your face. Damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face causes that side of your face to droop.”

The condition comes on suddenly, often overnight, and will generally get better on its own in a matter of weeks. It affects both men and women equally, and most cases occur between the ages of 20 and 40.

What are the symptoms of Bell’s palsy?

Minor symptoms of Bell’s palsy may include drooling, increased sensitivity to sounds, loss of taste, dry eyes and pain behind your ear. But some of the more significant physical symptoms, according to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, include:

• Difficulty closing one eye

• Drooping of one corner of the mouth

• A wrinkle-free forehead all on the same side

Ocular symptoms might include the inability to close the eye on the affected side of the face, dryness, redness and a burning sensation of the eye.

How can you tell the difference between Bell’s palsy and a stroke?

Some of the symptoms are the same between Bell’s palsy and stroke. Regardless, it’s important to get medical attention quickly in either case to ensure the patient gets the proper treatment. For stroke, it’s important to remember the words “be fast.” Each letter stands for:

• Balance: Be aware of any sudden balance loss.

• Eyes: Check for any vision loss.

• Face: Look for drooping on one side of the face or an uneven smile.

• Arms: Assess if there’s weakness on one side of the body.

• Speech: Look for slurred speech or the inability to speak normally.

• Time: Call 911 if these symptoms are present.

Symptoms like trouble finding words, eyes gazing in one direction, trouble walking and vision changes are more common in strokes. A person having a stroke may also have numbness on one side of the body or face, and weakness in the arms and legs on one side.

On the other hand, a person experiencing Bell’s palsy won’t have that same weakness. They also won’t have difficulty moving their tongue or eyes.

What causes Bell’s palsy?

The cause of Bell’s palsy is unclear. However, most cases are believed to be caused by the herpes virus that causes cold sores, according to MyHealth Alberta. It can also be linked to other viral infections like the flu, chicken pox, shingles and Epstein-Barr virus. Other conditions linked to Bell’s palsy include:

• Inflammation of the facial nerve

• Facial or dental surgeries

How can you prevent Bell’s palsy?

Unfortunately, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent Bell’s palsy since it’s typically linked to an infection. If you live with health conditions linked to Bell’s palsy, managing them may help reduce your risk.

Otherwise, you can take care of yourself by performing basic facial exercises to strengthen the muscles in the face. Massaging your forehead, cheeks and lips may also help.

How is Bell’s palsy treated?

Most people who have Bell’s palsy will completely recover within three to six months. That’s especially the case for people who can still partly move their facial muscle, MyHealth Alberta noted. A small number of people may experience permanent muscle weakness or other problems on the affected side of their face.

If you need treatment, your health-care provider may suggest a variety of options for symptom relief and faster recovery. That might include:

• Eye care: You may be offered eye drops to soothe dry eyes, or you might have to wear a patch if you can’t close the affected eye to prevent dryness, irritants or injuries.

• Oral corticosteroids: These can help prevent nerve swelling and may help you regain facial movement faster.

• Antiviral medications: You may take these to speed up recovery, but they’re typically only prescribed in severe cases.

• Electrical stimulation: Some health-care providers will offer this treatment to prevent facial loss after Bell’s palsy.

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